All right, I won't keep you all wondering what on earth my title is all about, it's merely a very simple yet profound lesson I learned back in birthing class. The instructor had us hold ice in our hands for about 30 seconds to show us how to endure a contraction. She told us not to try to make the discomfort go away, but rather to embrace it as an okay thing that won't truly hurt us. I wish I'd remembered that one during actual labor! But even moreso, I am now realizing that this applies to life in a way.
When we are trusting in God, nothing that happens in life can truly harm us. But that doesn't mean life is a breeze. After all, we were never promised an easy life. But we were promised He'd be with us and we could ask the Father for our daily bread, everything we need to love Him and carrying out His purposes. So I've established that nothing can truly harm those in Christ Jesus.
So having this confidence, what do we do when life gets uncomfortable? When situations don't go our way, or when plans change, or when people disappoint us, or what about the little annoyances of the day? It's so easy to dread and fear things and get frustrated - to want to hurry up through this difficult season, difficult task, or even difficult persons!
This is something I struggle with almost daily, wanting to just hurry up and get done what I need to during the day, looking forward to a specific part of the day or part of the week. It's so easy for me to get frustrated when plans change. It's like I have this expectation that life should go the way I envision it in my mind. Already today, my toddler has erased my writing three times. This weekend I had a change of plans that was personally frustrating. It's easy to say to myself 'I have a right to feel frustrated and be angry'. Do I? Do I have a right to have an attitude when life doesn't go my way? Actually, I dont think I do and even if by chance I do, I dont have a right to dwell in my negative emotions. This isn't productive at all! So what DO I do then? Well, God gave me emotions but if they keep me from responding in a pure manner, then I need to change my thinking.
Mostly, I need to learn to go with the flow. I don't mean go with the flow when it comes to sin or anything. I mean to learn that life is going to throw curveballs, but that God has given me everything I need to deal with life as it comes. I have the Word of God which gives me wisdom for many circumstances. I have the Holy Spirit which produces the fruit of the spirit. I have the ability to enter in to prayer and worship. And I have the mind to choose which way to go, whether for sin or for righteousness.
How am I going to respond? With anger, dread, complaining, and selfishness? Or with compassion, determination, grace, and creativity? I can handle whatever comes my way because I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me and I know my Father provides my daily bread, everything I need for each day. So what have I to fear, nothing. I will embrace life, I won't push it away because I'm afraid to experience that which uncomfortable. How about you?
By the way, not every change that comes our way need be a difficult challenge to get all huffed about. You know the old saying 'when life throws lemons, make lemonade'? Well, sometimes life's 'lemons' aren't really that sour. It's our attitude that makes it sour. But really, we can make a lot of seemingly frustrating changes into something fun. It just takes a little creativity and a love of life. If the children are a bother, just take a break and enjoy them! They won't be little forever. If a friend calls with a problem while you're working on something, then take a break and minister love to that person! If you found out you gotta work harder or longer, do it to the best of your ability because you were the one picked for the job and you're good at it! I'm sure there are many examples I'm forgetting or that just don't apply to my personal experience, but you know what they are in your life. And what about the mundane things like cooking and cleaning and going to work and such? Why can't we have fun in these things too? It takes a bit of creavity to switch up the pace a little, but we were made with the ability to be creative because we have a creative God. Learn to look at life differently. After all, we have a faithful God. The sun comes up every morning and the sun sets every evening. Life really isn't all that bad when we know there is a God who is good and sovereign in everything. Embrace all of life, be faithful to God and to the tasks He's called you to, and dont forget to enjoy the blessings He gives you!
P.S. Speaking of putting this principle into practice, my words may not flow as well as they could, my toddler keeps interrupting. But that's life and I love it! :)
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